Page 77 of So Much More
Iknow it’s ridiculous for me to be jealous in this situation, especially considering what I’ve done. But Shannon truly is a nice guy. And he’s smart and charming and, though I hate to admit it, better looking than me. I can’t imagine there are many women who wouldn’t want to be with him.
“I like Shannon,” Wendy says, “and I enjoyed spending time with him while he was here last month. We talked on the phone a couple times after he went home, and he suggested we try a long-distance relationship.”
I nod as my chest feels like a boulder has rolled onto it.
“But I said no. Do you want to know why I said no?”
I nod again.
“Use your words, Randall.”
I breathe deeply through my nose. “Don’t patronize me. And yes, I want to know why you said no.”
“Because of you.”
The boulder shifts so it’s not pressing down on me as heavily. “Really?”
“Yes, really,” she retorts. “Goodness knows I’ve had reason enough to question that decision, but I stand by it.” She jabs a finger on the table in front of me. “And the fact that I’m here with you right now proves that.”
I drop my head for a few moments before looking back up at her. “I’m sorry. I should have told you exactly what I thought instead of shutting down when you mentioned Shannon. I hate using Colleen as an excuse, but when you said another man’s name, it took me back to her telling me she was sleeping with my friend. I know I need to get over that, but obviously I’m not yet.”
“Oh, Randall,” she breathes out softly.
Wendy slides her hand across the table, and I take it in mine.
“I’m sorry,” she says. “I wasn’t thinking. For a minute, I forgot you have some hurdles, too. Can you forgive me for pushing you about Shannon?”
“Yes.” I swipe my thumb across her knuckles. “Can you forgive me for letting my own issues keep me from being excited about you meeting your sister and niece?”
“Of course. And I want you to know I’m proud of you for telling me you want your opinion to matter to me, even when I was being a jerk to you. Thank you for being honest.”
“I’m learning,” I say, “even if I don’t always go about it in the right way.” I glance at my watch and let go of her hand. “Eat up. We need to get you back to the office soon.”
* * *
I’m in bed reading a book late Thursday night when the phone rings. I reach over to get it, but it stops ringing, so I assume my brother answered. Considering the hour, it’s almost certainly Leslie calling him.
A couple minutes later, he calls out from the other room, “It’s for you!”
I stick a bookmark into my book and grab the phone from the bedside table.
“Hello?”
“I’m hanging up now,” Ash says, and the line clicks.
“It’s me,” Wendy says.
I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face. “Hi. What were you and Ash talking about?”
“He thanked me once again for giving up my weekend for your sisters.”
“Ah. Still planning to leave at noon tomorrow?” I readjust my pillows and slide down so I’m lying on my side.
“Yes. But Melissa has plans tomorrow night, so she’s driving out to meet us Saturday. Ash said you have a meeting with a divorce lawyer tomorrow afternoon.”
“We do. He’s the best in the entire state, and he despises Dad, which should make him fight even harder than normal.”
“That’s good to hear.”
